As for my future, my children, Connor and Delaney, are my entire world and I can’t imagine my life without them.The time I spend with them, because it is so limited, is so meaningful to me.Connor is my sports fanatic who can spout out any statistics at a moments notice.He loves all sports, but mostly football, baseball, basketball, and hockey.Over the past two summers, baseball has become more important than food or sleep.From sun up to sun down, he’s running the bases in the backyard, and I’ve become quite the pitcher!He played baseball for MYAA last summer and was in his glory running the bases, half the time with his baseball pants slipping down because he’s such a toothpick!A few summers ago, I took him to a Pirates game.Our seats were in the Club box section.As soon as we sat down, he started running stats with me, checking the line-up, explaining who should really be batting 3rd, and why they’ll be going to the relief pitchers by the 6th inning.After being there for about 10 minutes, the people in front of us looked back to see who was giving such detailed summaries of the players, and they did a double take.They had expected to see a 12 year old kid, so they asked how old he was.I responded, “Five.” And they were floored!We spend many nights at Uht Park taking in a Seawolves game.At the games, they have one inning where they let a child become the Jr. PA Announcer.Last summer he announced three different times and each time the guys in the box told the regular announcer to go home.Connor even got the chance to do the Seawolves Baseball camp this summer, and when they organized a fundraiser, I took him down to the park, too.And I did the math…Seawolves jersey $20, Seawolves baseball hat $12, Fundraiser to take pitches from Seawolves players $5, watching my son play catch, run drills, and be in his glory on his field of dreams…priceless…
Delaney is my performer and my princess, who if given the choice of playing with princesses orStar Wars or Pokemon or Sports would have a tough time choosing because she is the only girl in a sea of boy cousins so she is inundated with all of their toys.But if she gets the chance to learn songs and dance with them, she’ll choose that every time.Since she was born, I’ve been involved with Vacation Bible School at my church.A few summers ago when she was almost two years old, she wasn’t old enough to be a part of it, but because I have a DVD player in my van, she got to watch the music videos with the movements.By the time the week was over, she was able to perform in front of the church with the rest of the kids who participated in the week.Last summer, she was a part of the preschool group, and just absorbed everything.When they were showing the highlights of the week at the church service and playing the music with it, she stood up in front of everyone and started doing all of the movements and singing the words.And this past Christmas Eve, she sang a solo in front of the whole church.She is an angel, and when I watch the joy on her face as she is singing for me, for a few people or for a crowd, she just glows.The best part of her performance is what she does when she’s done.No matter where I’m sitting, she rushes right over and wraps her arms around my neck saying, “I did it Mom!”Seeing not only her but Connor do what they love makes everything I do and sacrifice for them worth it.Their smiles, their laughter, and their joys show me that there is nothing stronger than the bond we share.And I won’t have it any other way for the years we will have together.
Delaney is my performer and my princess, who if given the choice of playing with princesses or Star Wars or Pokemon or Sports would have a tough time choosing because she is the only girl in a sea of boy cousins so she is inundated with all of their toys. But if she gets the chance to learn songs and dance with them, she’ll choose that every time. Since she was born, I’ve been involved with Vacation Bible School at my church. A few summers ago when she was almost two years old, she wasn’t old enough to be a part of it, but because I have a DVD player in my van, she got to watch the music videos with the movements. By the time the week was over, she was able to perform in front of the church with the rest of the kids who participated in the week. Last summer, she was a part of the preschool group, and just absorbed everything. When they were showing the highlights of the week at the church service and playing the music with it, she stood up in front of everyone and started doing all of the movements and singing the words. And this past Christmas Eve, she sang a solo in front of the whole church. She is an angel, and when I watch the joy on her face as she is singing for me, for a few people or for a crowd, she just glows. The best part of her performance is what she does when she’s done. No matter where I’m sitting, she rushes right over and wraps her arms around my neck saying, “I did it Mom!” Seeing not only her but Connor do what they love makes everything I do and sacrifice for them worth it. Their smiles, their laughter, and their joys show me that there is nothing stronger than the bond we share. And I won’t have it any other way for the years we will have together.